Moth-proofing composition



MOTH-PRGOFING CGMPOSITION Thomas L. Cunningham, Larchmont, N. Y.

N Drawing. Application February 18, 1955, Serial No. 489,289

9 Claims. (Cl. 167-37) This invention relates to moth-proofing and more particularly to a novel composition adapted to be appl ed to, for example, textile fibers and fabrics, to provide improved moth-proofing thereof, i. e. improved protection against feeding by larvae of moths, black carpet beetles and the like.

In recent years a group of compounds comprising chlorinated diphenylethanes have been discovered and developed which have been found to be powerful insecticides and highly toxic to moths and their larvae. Typical and well known members of this group of insecticides are DDT (l,l,2-trichloro-2,2-bis (chlorophenyl) ethane) and Methoxychlor (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (methoxy phenyl)ethane). While compounds of this group are highly toxic to moths and the like, difiiculties have been encountered in developing satisfactory methods for applying these agents to textile fabrics. More particularly it has been found that when these compounds are incorporated in a volatile solvent and sprayed on, for example, a woolen garment, there is a tendency for the compound to crystallize as the solvent evaporates to form an objectionable crystalline deposit which discolors the garment.

While this tendency to crystallize can be largely avoided or minimized by precise control of the concentration and amount of moth-proofing agent applied, the degree of control required is such that it is difficult for an inex perienced person to so apply the agent as to achieve a uniform distribution of suflicient moth-proofing agent on the garment without some discoloration due to crystallizing of the insecticide. Thus these agents have not been found very satisfactory for general domestic use.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a liquid moth-proofing agent incorporating a chlorinated arylalkane insecticide of the type referred to above and capable of being applied over a relatively wide range of concentration, even to the extent of saturation, without causing discoloration of the article to which it is applied due to crystallization. It is another object of the invention to provide a composition which when applied to a fabric produces both a moth-proofing and a water repellent eifect thereon and renders the fabric spot-resistant. It is still another object of the invention to provide a moth-profing composition which when applied to a textile fiber or fabric does not adversely affect the feel thereof. It is a still further object of the invention to provide a moth-proofing composition that can be effectively applied not only to textile fibers and fabrics, but also to carpets, upholstery, draperies, furs, feathers, felts and the like, as well as to Wood or masonry surfaces which may form part of the interior of a closet or other storage enclosure. It is still another object of the invention to provide a moth-proofing composition having improved penetrating ability and which can be applied to textile-fibers or fabrics without producing shrinkage thereof. Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereafter.

In one of its broader aspects the present moth-proofing composition comprises a solution or emulsion in a hyrocarbon solvent of a water-insoluble soap, a solid fatty acid glyceride, an insecticidal chlorinate diphenylethane and a suitable dispersing and stabilizing agent. I have found that by incorporating in the moth-proofing composition both a metal soap and a solid fat in the manner described in detail below a composition is obtained which can be applied to an article to be moth-proofed by spraying, brushing or dipping and without the precise control previously required to avoid undesired crystallization of the insecticide. If the composition is applied, for example, to a textile fabric and the solvent evaporated, the mixture of soap and fat appears to be deposited on and in the fibers of the fabric as a strongly adherent, relatively flexible deposit in which the insecticide is encased in such manner that crystallization of the insecticide, or at least the visible effect of crystallization of the insecticide, does not occur. In any event, whatever the precise mechanism of the deposition of the solid constituents of the present composition may be, I have found that with this composition it is possible to apply relatively widely varying amounts of insecticide to the fabric without producing the discoloration that is frequently observed when the insecticide is applied in the absence of the soap and fatty acid glyceride. Moreover, the present composition possesses the additional advantage that a water-shedding effect is produced. simultaneously with the moth-proofing effect and hence removal of the insecticide by Water or other aqueous media is inhibited;

In preparing the present composition any of various water-insoluble soaps may be used. The preferred soap is aluminum stearate, although stearates of other metals such as copper, zinc and calcium can be used, as well as soaps such as aluminum oleate and palmitate and Zinc oleate and palmitate. In like manner any of various solid fatty acid glycerides can be used including natural fats such as lard or tallow, as well as solidrfatty acid glycerides resulting from the hydrogenation of oils. Among the hydrogenated oils that can be used are hydrogenated fish oils such as menhaden, whale, sardine, cod, cod liver or sperm oil. Also hydrogenated vegetable oils such as corn, cotton seed, soy bean, cocoanut, peanut, castor, olive and linseed oils can be used. The preferred fatty material for use in the present composition is hydrogenated fish oil.

As a dispersing agent I prefer to use a lower aliphatic alcohol such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, b'utyl, or amyl alcohol, including not only the primary alcohols but also the corresponding secondary and tertiary alcohols. The nature of the hydrocarbon solvent used does not appear to be particularly critical. Thus aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzol, toluol and Xylol may be used, or various petroleum distillates can be used. From the point of view of safety it is usually desirable to employ one of the relatively high flash-point petroleum solvents such as those sold under the trade names Super High Flash Solvent and Solvesso.

As indicated above, the moth-killing agent of the present composition is preferably a diphenylhaloethane which possesses insecticidal properties. Numerous insecticides of this group are known, among which may be mentioned:

1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(chlorophenyl) -ethane; 1,1,1-tribromo-2,2-bis(chlorophenyl) ethane; 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(fluorophenyl) ethane; 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(bromophenyl) ethane; 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(bromophenyl)-ethane;

l,l-dichloro-2,2-bis(chlorophenyl) ethane;

l, l-dichloro-2,2-bis (fluorophenyl) ethane; 1,1,l-trichloro-2,2-bis(chlorotolyl) ethane;

l,l,l-trichloro 2,2-dipheny1-ethane l, l l-trichloro-2,Z-ditolyl-ethane;

l l ,l-trichloro-2,2-di (ethylphenyl) ethane;

l, l-bis (acetylphenyl -2,2,2-trichloroethane; l,l-dichloro-2,2-ditolyl ethane; l,l-dichloro-2,2-di(ethylphenyl) ethane; 1,l,1-trichloro-Z-phenyl-Z-chlorophenyl ethane; l,l,l-trichloro-2-tolyl-2-chlorophenyl-ethane; l,l,1-tribrorno-2,2-tolyl-ethane;

l, l, l-trichloro-2,2-bis (chloronitrophenyl) ethane; 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(methoxyphenyl) ethane; l,l,1-tribromo-2,2-bis(methoxyphenyl) ethane; 1,1,l trichloro-2,2-bis(ethoxyphenyl) ethane; 1,1,l-trichloro-2-chlorophenyl-Z-methoxyphenyl-ethane; l,l-dichlor-2-bromophenyl-Z-methoxyphenyl ethane; 1,1-thiocyanophenyl-Z,2,2-trichloroethane; and the like. The substituents of the phenyl rings may be in ortho, meta, or para positions. The actual materials of commerce usually consist of a mixture of the isomers of the foregoing compounds.

The quantities of the dilferent ingredients of the present composition may be varied over a relatively wide range although the aggregate quantity of the solid ingredients should be maintained sufliciently small to provide a relatively thin liquid composition capable of penetrating effectively into the interstices and/or pores of the article to be-treated. Thus it is usually not desirable for the total solids to exceed say 20% by weight of the composition. When substantial quantities of the composition are to be used at a point remote from the place of manufacture, it is usually desirable to make up a concentrated solution which can be diluted with additional solvent at the point of use. In preparing such a concentrate, it is preferable to use for each 100 parts by weight of solvent, 110 parts by weight of water-insoluble soap, 1-5 parts of solid fatty acid glyceride, l-5 parts of lower aliphatic alcohol, and from 0.1 to 5 parts of the insecticide. Such a concentrate may be applied in undiluted form or may be diluted with solvent to any desired extent.

In preparing the present composition the water-insoluble metal soap is mixed with the solvent and heated with agitation to about 180 F. at which temperature the mixture forms a transparent gel. To this gel is added the dispersing agent, e. g. anhydrous ethyl alcohol, which with agitation effects a dispersion of the gel into a thin transparent, mobile liquid in which the metal soap is in colloidal form. The fatty acid glyceride and insecticide are then added to and mixed with the liquid to form the finished composition.

The resulting composition can be applied to the article to be moth-proofed by dipping, spraying or brushing as indicated above and thereafter the solvent is evaporated to deposit the insecticide on and in the fabric or other article being treated in such manner that it is encased within the mixture of metal soap and fat and is thus prevented from forming a crystalline deposit on the surface of the treated article. It has been observed that in some cases fabrics treated with the present composition have a somewhat stifi feel after treatment. However, this effect can be eliminated by rumpling the fabric to soften it.

In order to point out more fully the nature of the present invention the following specific examples are given.

Example 1 weight of technical Methoxychlor which is essentially l,l,l-trichloro-2,2-bis (methoxyphenyl) ethane.

Samples of woolen fabric were treated with the foregoing composition by being immersed therein and air dried for 72 hours. None of the dried samples exhibited any evidence of discoloration due to crystallization of the moth-proofing agent. One set of treated samples was rinsed in running water for 10 minutes and dried. Thereafter the rinsed and unrinsed samples were confined in a closed container with black carpet beetle larvae for a period of 12 weeks, new larvae being introduced at the end of each 4-week period. At the end of this time no sample of either set showed any evidence of feeding by the larvae.

Example 2 A composition was made up according to the procedure of Example 1 except that it contained the ingredients in the following portions in parts by weight:

Aluminum stearate 6 Hydrogenated menhaden oil 6 Xylene 86.5 Anhydrous ethyl alcohol l Methoxychlor 0.5

This composition was found to be a satisfactory mothproofing agent.

Example 3 The procedure of Example 1 was followed in making up a composition having the following ingredients in the indicated parts by weight:

The composition was found to be a satisfactory mothproofing agent.

Example 4 A composition was prepared in accordance with the procedure of Example 1 except that it contained the following ingredients in the indicated proportions:

Aluminum stearate 6 Lard 8 Hydrogenated naphtha 83.5 Amyl alcohol 1 DDT 1.5

Six parts by weight of aluminum stearate in flake form i I The composition was found to be a satisfactory mothproofing agent.

It is of course to be understood that the foregoing examples are illustrative only and that numerous changes can be made in the ingredients and proportions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A liquid moth-proofing composition comprising a water-insoluble soap, a substantially solid fatty acid glyceride, an insecticidal halogenated diphenylethane, a hydrocarbon solvent and a dispersing agent which is a lower aliphatic alcohol.

2. A liquid moth-proofing composition comprising aluminum stearate, a solid hydrogenated fish oil, an insecticidal halogenated diphenylethane, a hydrocarbon solvent and a dispersing agent which is a lower aliphatic alcohol. V 3. A moth-proofing composition according to claim 2 and wherein the halogenated diphenylethane is 1,1,2- t richloro-2,2-bis(chlorophenyl) ethane.

4. 'A moth-proofing composition according to claim 2 and wherein the halogenated diphenylethane is 1,1,1- trichloro-2,2-bis(methoxyphenyl) ethane.

5. A liquid moth-proofing composition comprising a hydrocarbon solvent having dissolved therein 1-10 parts by weight of water-insoluble soap, 1-5 parts of solid, fatty acid glyceride, 1-5 parts of lower aliphatic alcohol and 0.1 to 5 parts of an insecticidal halogenated diphenylethane.

6. A liquid moth-proofing composition comprising a hydrocarbon solvent having dissolved therein per 100 parts by Weight of solvent, 1-10 parts by weight of aluminum stearate, 1-5 parts of solid hydrogenated fish oil, 1-5 parts of lower aliphatic alcohol and 0.1 to 5 parts of insecticidal halogenated diphenylethane.

7. A moth-proofing composition according to claim 6 and wherein the halogenated diphenylethane is 1,1,2- trichloro-2,2-bis (chlorophenyl) ethane.

8. A moth-proofing composition according to claim 6 and wherein the halogenated diphenylethane is 1,1,1- trichloro-2,2-bis(methoxyphenyl) ethane.

9. A liquid moth-proofing composition having approximately the following composition in parts by weight:

6 Hydrocarbon solvent 100 Aluminum stearate 3 Anhydrous ethyl alcohol 2 Solid hydrogenated fish oil 2 1,1,l-trichloro 2,2-bis(methoxyphenyl)ethane 2 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,000,004 Adams et al. May 7, 1935 2,018,681 Littooy et a1 Oct. 29, 1935 2,195,696 Dolman Apr. 2, 1940 2,349,814 Deonier et a1. May 30, 1944 2,426,214 Hewes Aug. 26, 1947 2,442,760 Dieter June 8, 1948 2,490,437 Hillyer Dec. 6, 1949 

1. A LIQUID MOTH-PROOFING COMPOSITION COMPRISING A WATER-INSOLUBLE SOAP, A SUBSTANTIALLY SOLID FATTY ACID GLYCERIDE, AN INSECTICIDAL HALOGENATED DIPHENYLETHANE, A HYDROCARBON SOLVENT AND A DISPERSING AGENT WHICH IS A LOWER ALIPHATIC ALCOHOL. 